Across the United States, poker players have different rules they must abide by for the game of poker. Some states offer poker gaming online and in live game play like New Jersey, while others offer poker in brick and mortar form only like Mississippi. Still other states ban the game altogether and you have absolutely no resource in which to enjoy the game. Idaho is one such state in which poker is not allowed, yet the Coeur d’Alene Casino decided to offer the game anyway. The casino is now being forced to shut down live poker tournaments after a recent ruling by a district court judge.
The casino is located in Worley, Idaho and according to a recent report at the Spokesman-Review, the casino must stop running tournaments as a US District Court Judge ruled that the tournaments violate state law. The judge, Lynn Winmill, ruled on Friday that the Coeur d’Alene Tribe must now cease all live tournaments at the casino located in Worley.
The tribe first began back in May and an injunction was filed in June by the state. The state claimed the games fell under the ban on gambling according to current laws. During the June filing, Judge Winmill decided to stay the case as the tribe had argued that they had agreed with the state on arbitration. The ruling then states that the tribe had changed their mind and decided to litigate for the dismissal of the case. The tribe argued that Texas Hold’em is considered a game of skill and does not fall under the gambling ban of the state.
Judge Winmill felt differently and denied the dismissal request as she deems some elements of poker are due to chance. Winmill also stated that there are three gambling options in the state that are legal and Texas Hold’em is not one of these options. The tribe now plans on appealing the case with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and stated on Friday they would be filing a motion against the ruling by Winmill.
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